Custom WordPress Web Design

WordPress powers over 40% of the web for a reason. It's flexible, it's ours to own (not rented like Wix or Squarespace), it ranks well in search, and if you outgrow one part of it, there's almost always a way to build past that instead of starting over. That's why every site we build since 2002 has been WordPress.

700+

WordPress websites launched since 2002
25+

Dedicated team members, in-house
4.9/5

Across 300+ verified reviews

Why WordPress

Why we only build on WordPress

We've had 24+ years to try platforms. WordPress is the one we kept coming back to, and eventually the only one we build on. Here's why it makes sense for your business, not just for our shop.

You own the site. WordPress runs on hosting you control, not a platform account you rent every month. Move it, export it, hand it off, whatever you want.
It's built for SEO. Clean code, custom permalinks, real control over titles, meta, and structure. Plus the plugin ecosystem to layer more on when you need it.
Real customization, not just theme picks. Any layout, any interaction, any integration. If it can be done on the web, it can be done on WordPress.
It scales. Same platform for a 5-page brochure site as for a 500-page manufacturer catalog. You don't outgrow it.
Your team can update it. The dashboard's designed for non-developers. We show your team how to make edits at launch so you're not stuck calling us for a typo fix.
It's not going anywhere. 40%+ of the web runs on WordPress. It's not a startup platform that might disappear in three years.

What's included

What a custom WordPress build actually includes

Custom design, not a theme. Real mockups built around your brand and your visitors' actual goals, not a stock template with your logo dropped in.
Responsive, mobile-first build. Checked on phones, tablets, and desktops before launch, not just eyeballed at desktop width.
WordPress built to your content structure. Custom post types, fields, and page templates so your team can actually update the site without breaking the design.
Launch-day training. We walk your team through making edits themselves before we hand off, so you're not stuck coming back for typo fixes.
Hosting migration and setup. DNS, SSL, staging, and production all handled. You don't have to touch a control panel.
Page speed optimization. Sites tuned for real performance, not just a passing PageSpeed score.
Basic on-page SEO. Title tags, H1 structure, alt text, and meta descriptions set up correctly from day one.
Contact form and integrations. Whatever tools you need connected -- HubSpot, Mailchimp, booking, chat -- get wired in at launch.
30-day post-launch support window. If something needs a fix right after launch, we're on it.

Process

How a custom WordPress build actually runs

Every custom build we take on runs through the same 8-step process, refined over 24+ years and 700+ launches. It's called the Optik Method, and it exists so you know what's happening at every step and there are no surprises at the end.

We start with a free proposal call to understand what you actually need. Then a written scope with a fixed price, so you know the number before we start any work. Design and mockups get built around your brand and visitors, not a template. Development happens next, with regular check-ins for your review and revisions. Before launch, we run through a 75-point QA checklist to catch the small stuff. Then we launch, train your team, and hand off. Ongoing hosting, care, and support are optional after that, not required.

See the full Optik Method →

Timeline & investment

How long it takes and what it costs

We scope every custom build on a free call before quoting a fixed fee. No billable-hours mystery and no surprise invoices once the number's set.

How it works

✓Free proposal call. We learn about your business, goals, and content.
✓Written scope & fixed price. You know the number before we start any work.
✓Design & mockups: 2-3 weeks.
✓Development & build: 4-6 weeks.
✓Your review, revisions, then a 75-point QA check.
✓Launch and team training. Then a 30-day post-launch support window.
✓6-10 weeks total for a standard custom build.

Investment

✓Starts at $2k, averages $5k for a standard custom build.
✓Page count, custom functionality, and integrations are what move the price.
✓E-commerce runs $15-30k. See our ecommerce page for that.
✓Care plans and hosting are optional after launch, not bundled into the build.

Adjacent services

What we can layer on after launch

A site by itself is a starting point, not a finish line. Once yours is live, we can add the marketing pieces that actually drive traffic and leads. All of it's optional, priced separately, and you don't have to decide any of it up front.

SEO

Ongoing SEO to rank for the searches your customers are actually running. Ahrefs-tracked, no black-box promises.

See SEO

PPC

Managed Google Ads campaigns to drive leads while SEO catches up. Fixed management fee plus your ad spend.

See PPC

Copywriting

Blog posts, service pages, and landing page copy written by real people who understand your business.

See copywriting

Branding & print

Logo, brand guidelines, and print collateral for businesses that need brand work alongside the site build.

See branding

Google Business Profile

GBP setup and ongoing management so you show up in local map results and pull real reviews.

See GBP

WordPress care plans

Updates, backups, uptime monitoring, and security so your new site stays fast and safe. Optional add-on.

See care plans

Portfolio

Who we build for

700+ WordPress sites since 2002 across pretty much every industry we've come across: B2B, professional services, nonprofits, law firms, medical practices, real estate, interior design, manufacturers, e-commerce, and a lot more. Every one is custom to the client, not a template with the logo swapped.

See our portfolio Read case studies

Is this right for you?

Who a custom WordPress build fits (and doesn’t)

We'd rather turn down a bad fit than sell you the wrong thing. Here's the straight cut.

You’re a fit if

✓You need a real WordPress site built by specialists, not a Wix or Squarespace template
✓You want custom design that fits your brand, not a theme with your logo dropped in
✓You’re a small-to-mid-size business: local service, B2B, professional services, or e-commerce
✓You want fixed price and fixed scope, not billable-hours mystery
✓You want your team to be able to update the site after launch
✓You care about SEO and speed, not just how the site looks

You probably don’t need this if

✗You want a $99 template DIY solution (get on Wix, we'll say so straight)
✗Budget matters more than bespoke design (see our affordable tier instead)
✗You’re building an online store (see our ecommerce page instead)
✗You want to build on Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, or anything else. We only do WordPress.
✗You need it launched in a week (6-10 weeks is our floor for a real custom build)

If that’s you, we’ll say so on our first call. No hard sell.

Good to know

FAQs

Why WordPress vs Wix, Squarespace, or Webflow?

You own it. WordPress runs on hosting you control, so you can move the site anywhere, hand it off to another agency, or bring it in-house. Wix and Squarespace are rented platforms; if you leave, you leave the site behind. WordPress also gives you real customization, real SEO control, and real integrations. If you're already on one of those platforms, we can migrate you to WordPress before we build.

What’s the difference between a custom build and a semi-custom one?

Custom starts from a blank page: design mockups built around your brand and your visitors' goals. Semi-custom starts from a proven template foundation and gets customized to your brand from there. Custom runs $2k-$30k+ depending on scope; semi-custom lives at our affordable tier, starting at $2k for tighter budgets.

How long does a custom build take?

6-10 weeks start to finish for a standard build. 2-3 weeks of design, 4-6 weeks of development, plus your review and QA. Bigger e-commerce or complex custom-functionality projects can run longer.

Do I own the site when it’s done?

Yes. Full stop. It's a WordPress site running on hosting you control. You can host it with us, host it elsewhere, or move it later. No lock-in.

Can my team update the site after launch?

Yes, and that's the goal. We show your team how to make edits at launch. WordPress is designed for non-developers, so blog posts, service page tweaks, images, and content updates should all be things your team can handle. We're here for the bigger stuff.

Is SEO included?

Basic on-page SEO is included: title tags, H1 structure, alt text, meta descriptions, and clean URL structure set up correctly from day one. Ongoing SEO (keyword targeting, content, backlinks, monthly optimization) is a separate service. See our SEO page if you want that layered on after launch.

Do I have to buy hosting and care plans from you?

No, care plans and hosting are optional after launch. You get launch-day training and a 30-day support window either way. See our care plans and hosting pages if you want ongoing help. 800+ sites host with us because it's the same team that built the site.

Do you offer other marketing services after the site launches?

Yes. Once your site is live, we can layer on SEO, PPC, copywriting, Google Business Profile, review generation, and email marketing. Every one is optional and priced separately, so you're not signing up for a bundle to get a site built.

Keep exploring

Ready to talk about your project?

Book a free 20-30 min call. We’ll look at what you need, tell you straight what tier fits, and quote a real number before any work starts.

Get A Proposal Call (630) 296-6932

Custom WordPress web design, built by people who only build WordPress